Newcastle United sailed into the Champions League round of 16 with a 3-2 win over Qarabag on Tuesday night.
Eddie Howe’s side were already 6-1 up from the first leg and sealed Champions League progress with a routine win at St James’ Park. They march into the next stage with a stunning 9-3 aggregate victory.
Who was your MOTM vs Qarabag and why?
Joelinton celebrates with his Newcastle United teammates after scoring in the Champions League against Qarabag.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Sven Botman scored the goals as Newcastle United made club history by reaching this stage of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time.
The Magpies did get fairly sloppy in the second half but few will care as either Chelsea or Barcelona await in the next round.
Here’s how Geordie Boot Boys rated the players.
Aaron Ramsdale – 7
Made a big save from Camilo Duran towards the end of the first half, and was unlucky with the penalty after the break before making an important save.
Ramsdale, however, is unlikely to get many more chances in this competition for the club.
Kieran Trippier – 7
Has kept the tempo and made things professional. Rested towards the end, Trippier will no doubt have been pleased with that given his schedule in recent weeks.
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Sven Botman – 7
Botman was somewhat sloppier on the ball than his defensive partners but rarely truly troubled. Scored a brilliant header in the second half.
Dan Burn – 7
Saw an awful lot of the ball and distributed it fairly well. Burn is always a threat at set-pieces. Reasonably unlucky with the penalty.
Alex Murphy – 8
A really impressive full debut for the club, on the grandest stage of them all no less. Might have been seen as a weak link before the game but Murphy proved anything but during it.
Alex Murphy playing for Newcastle United against Qarabag.
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
Sandro Tonali – 7
Got things going with a powerful run which led to the first goal on the night. Wasn’t tested until after the break but threatened to have his emotions overcome him.
Joelinton – 8
Appeared to relish the evening. After powering in Newcastle’s second on the night, the Brazilian turned on the style and started to show some flicks and tricks. Looked unhappy to come off.
Nick Woltemade – 7
Not everything came off for him in the midfield role but there were some really nice touches. Tougher tests to come, of course, but a reminder of just how good Woltemade really is with the ball at his feet.
Jacob Murphy – 7
Murphy didn’t do much wrong on Tuesday night but little about his performance would have blown anyone away.
William Osula – 5
A really poor night from him in the first half. Just could not get into the game at all and his movement was off.
If that was something of an audition, Osula fluffed it.
Harvey Barnes – 7
Not as good as Anthony Gordon was last week but Barnes played in a fine ball to assist Joelinton for Newcastle’s second.
Subs:
Lewis Hall – 8
Joe Willock – 7
Anthony Gordon – 8
Yoane Wissa – 6
Leo Shahar – N/A
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